Tuesday, September 30, 2008

One Hundred + 1

Whew, I just made it. I thought that the combination of my work schedule, celebrating my mother's birthday, and simply the general level of tiredness that I have just now would prevent me from settling down to write. Honestly, I would much rather be in bed allowing the background music loop from Innoventions lull me to sleep. But, that I can not do just yet.

Today has a small degree of significance. It is the 100th post on The Disney Obsession. It is also the one year anniversary of this experiment. It was a little over one year ago that Mrs. Doc recommended that I start blogging about my passion for Disney. And after having read a few blogs I felt that I may be able to add something to the general dialogue that takes place within the Disney online community. I fear though, that I may have been wrong in my thinking.

For you see, I have discovered that there are many in our circle of friends who know much more about the parks than I (not that I ever proclaimed a vast knowledge). Within the world of Disney there are many subject matters and these are discussed via a number of excellent blogs and podcasts. I appreciate each blog that I read and each podcast that I listen too. I feel both humbled and honored that I can count many of these writers and podcasters as my friends; both the ones I've met and those I have yet to meet.

But I must be honest here. I have struggled to find a voice for this experiment. I struggle with the notion of posting something that would be considered interesting to those few who visit this blog. I struggle with the idea that if I don't post daily or every other day, then somehow, what I have to say is not relevant. Perhaps I am not too far from the truth with these thoughts.

Then a friend of mine said to me recently that mine is one of most emotional Disney blogs that he has read. With that comment he confirmed something that I have been thinking of for sometime (while I struggle with content). And that is, for me, that Disney is an emotion! Yes, it is a place, a film, a passage of music, a book, a character and more. But most importantly (for me anyway), it is an emotion. It is the emotion that swells up inside of me whenever I set foot on Main Street U.S.A. or fly over the City of London. It is a memory of my grandmother whenever I emerge from clouds at the opening of Soarin'. It is knowing that no matter how difficult life gets, there is a happy thought just a second away whenever I think of Tinkerbell flying through the air as Wishes! begins or as my heart pounds during the finale of Illuminations: Reflections of Earth. It is the dream of someday walking down Main Street U.S.A. with my grandchildren. Whatever it is, there is something there and it impacts my life in ways that can, at times, be difficult to explain and even harder to understand.

That is it! Disney is an emotion! It is what it does to each one of us that makes it special. And I feel that this will become the voice of The Disney Obsession. Yes, I want to continue to share my attempts at nighttime photography. And there will still be those challenges that some of you have come to enjoy in Where In The World. Who knows, I may even share the odd piece of riveting information about some subject or another (there are still a few ideas of this nature scribbled on paper in my office here). But moving forward I think I would like to share more about how Disney impacts our (my) emotions.

Is this okay?

So, let's recap. One hundred posts in 366 days. That is what, one post every 3.66 days. Is Doc going to posts more frequently? Probably not. Hey, I have five grandchildren and a four year old nephew that need their time with Papa. But I will continue to press on with this experiment, meeting and making new friends, taking pictures, visiting the parks (as often as possible), creating new memories, and sharing what Disney means to me.

Oh, and if Disney makes you emotional, that's okay. I know I am not alone in this; or at least I hope i'm not. It is okay to share. To me that is what makes it all real.

More to follow...
Doc

P.s. No pictures tonight. I am tired.

7 comments:

Ryan P. Wilson said...

Happy 1 year and 100 articles. I hope, no I know, your brand of reaching into the heart of Disney and touching all of us will continue long into the future!

Doc Terminus said...

101 Blognatians! Not only do we approve but we wouldn't have it any other way... Your blog never feels like it has forced postings. Always a pleasure...

Craig Wheeler said...

Congrats on the milestone. Your blog is great just the way it is. There is a seat for Doc at the same table as Jeff Pepper, the Taylor's, Ryan Wilson, and even Doc Terminus. The variety of blogs is what keeps things interesting.

Keep up the great work.

Gator Chris said...

Congratulations on the milestone and on finding your blogging voice.

I think your experiment has been a success. I enjoy reading it. Apparently others do also. If you enjoy it, then please continue at your own pace.

Unknown said...

100? Is that all? ;)

DOC--the trip has been awesome so far. I am glad you are here to share in the dialogue and keep us company when we yearn for that Disney magic.

bigbrian-nc.com said...

approximately twice a week is a mighty respectable blog post rate if you ask me, congratulations on your first year completed in the blog-o-sphere

sambycat said...

i feel often as you do - and your friend hit it right on the head - your blog often brings that feeling to me as well! especially your 9/11 post.....

anyways, i welcome another 100 hundred posts ( i wont ask for 999, but i fell like we'll all get there eventually ;) ) - in however long you want to take to right them!!
:)
lisa